Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1887-03-02
A School Teachers Story.

In the winter OF 1919 was teaching
a country school in Ohio, not far from
the village of Medina. was girl only
II years old, and weighed less than 100
pounds, and those who knew INC would
have laughed at the idea of my having
any presence of mind in the face Of
danger.
twas a walk of mile to the farm
house where | was boarding, and in
stormy weather | was conveyed to and
fro in the sleigh. 1t was clearly under
stood that should it come on to snow
and blustcr during the day the farmer
was to come for me at the close of school.
In ordinary weather the walk was one to
be enjoyed. Just after noon on the
18th day of January it began
to snow and blow in the most furious
manner, while the temperature fell 90"
inside of two hours. We had a snug
brick schoolhousc, large pile Of dry
wood, and no one knew how cold it was
until school was dismisse for the day.
Then there were many complaints from
the scholars, but all finally got away and
l was left alone to wait for the farmers
sleigh, which 1 had every reason to be-
lieve would soon be at the door. 1t was
almost dark at o'clock, and 1 got my
things on and sat down by the stove and
waited threc-quartcrs of an hour before
beginning to wonder why Farmer Wat
kins did not drivcup. We had a couple
of lamps, and Lighted one and began
work on an intricate mathematical prob
lem. Time slipped fast away, and when
l got up it was half-past 5. | then felt
that some accident hal happened my
friends and they would not come for
me, and decided to foot it home. l
had not left the schoolhouSc a hundred
feet behind when realized that must
return to it. The wind was blowing at
the rate Of fifty miles an hour, and di-
rcctly in my face, while the air was so
full of snow that one could not sec six
feet away. That night the thermometer
registered II degrees below zero, and
much live stock frozc to death.
1t was bit lonesome when re-
turned to the schoolhousc and let my
self in and felt the little structure trcmb-
ling under the rising gale, but l re-
lighted the lamps, brought in n lot of
wood from the storc-room, and found
enough of my MONDAY meal left in the
basket to take the edge of my hunger
off. had no idea of being obliged to
pass the night there, but confidently cX.
pcctcd to be called for at any moment.
1t had come to be s o'clock, and | was
getting very nervous, when the outside
d Jor opened and | heard step in the
hall. jumped up to close the stove
and turn out the lights, but before
had accomplished the latter object the
door to the schoolroom was opened and
in walked total stranger. He was
covered with snow, and his cap was
drawn down until most of his face was
hidden. lie did not seem to even glance
at me, but advanced to the stove, shook
off the snow, pulled off cap and over
coat, and then held out his hands to the
warmth. was what you might justly
term dumfounded. There was no fear
of him, but his unexpected advent and
the cool manner in which he acted quito
took my breath away for couple Of
minutes. However, I finally found
voice to inquire:
odd Uncle Bill send you for mcl'
lie looked me in the eyes for q few
seconds, and then walked through to
the outer door, locked it, came back tc
the inner door and licked that, and a;
he slipped the keycs into his pocket, he
said;
"This is going to be bitter cold
night"
A fantncss came over me as he spoke,
and had to sit down. We were on the
opposite sides OF the stove, and saw
that he was a man OF about 80, medium
height, slight build, and respectable
appearance. There was nothing alb u
him of the tramp Or tough, and his voice
was pleasant one. | was certain l had
never seen him before, and also icl
from the first that there was something
wrong in his coming the way he did.
A belated or storm-bound traveller
would have been full OF remarks and
questions, and he would not have locked
the doors on us. looked him over like
one in dream. | felt n great faintne,:
and great fear, and yet could no
help ut watch him. He did not rcturr
my gaze. Now and then his eyes me
minc but for the most part he wa, look.
| ino carelesslv around tho room or ot th,